The classic Olympus Trip 35. Rugged, all metal beauty, built in light metering system, no batteries, a forgiving zone focus system. Tack sharp professional quality 40mm f2.8 Zuiko lens. The perfect “visual notebook”. I ask you, what more could you want in a ‘point and shoot’ street camera? I’ve restored several of these beauties, and they are an absolute joy to use. This might account for their popularity, since they were continuously produced from 1968-1984 practically unchanged. That has to be the longest run for any camera. 10 MILLION units were built.
You can still pick them up used at camera shops that have been in business for a while. Best source is probably Ebay, where you can always find a few being auctioned. They’re reasonably priced for a unit in good condition if you are willing to replace the light seals. The all black model typically goes for a bit more. The early units can be distinguished by a silver shutter release button, later models had a black shutter release. Since so many Trip 35 cameras were made, there’s plenty to go around, so you can be be picky. The camera weighs about 1 lb and feels very comfortable in the hand. 🙂
The Olympus Trip 35 is also a great street photography camera.
Olympus Trip Zone Focusing |
Distance scale (opposite side of focus ring) |
Zones – note Red group icon (3 meters) |
Bubbled Glass Light Sensor, 40mm Zuiko |
Film Speed setting ring |
Insufficient light Red flag |
Very easy to use, the zone focus markings allow for focusing at different distances – 1 meter (3.3 feet); 1.5 meter (5 feet), 3 meter (10 feet) and ∞ (infinity) settings
Check out some photographs taken with the Olympus Trip 35.
These pictures are from Mt. Vernon
Here’s a copy of the Olympus Trip 35 manual…
Olympus Trip 35 # 3290561
Black Olympus Trip 35 # 281859
Olympus Trip 35 # 3626828
Olympus Trip 35 # 2131247 (being restored)
Olympus Trip 35 # 3630520
Olympus Trip 35 # 3116735
Olympus Trip 35 Links:
Reijo Lauro’s Site
Peter Leslie’s Blog
Peter Leslie’s Photography Site
Praslowicz’s site on modifying the Trip
Vintage camera museum
Olympus 35 Trip thread on Photo.net
And last, but not the least – my favorite people…the Flickr Olympus Trip discussion group – a dedicated bunch of loyal Trip lovers, I get several hits a day from their members, and I would like to thank them all for their appreciation of this wonderful little camera! Check them out, some of their Olympus Trips in “fancy dress” are absolutely stunning.
text and images © 2007 ajoy muralidhar. all names, websites, brands and technical data referenced are the copyright or trademark of their respective owners.
Olympus/Zuiko 